FOUR recently retired men from Quorn have shunned what they viewed as the stereotypical ‘bus pass’ existence and instead took an incredible trip to Ireland in search of dolphins.

Their Irish trip may have lasted just a few days, but as well as spotting Fungie the dolphin they managed a hazardous trek along the cliffs of the Dingle Peninsula, a sighting of the set for the next Star Wars film, a chat with a member of the original film crew for Ryan’s Daughter, a glimpse of bullet-holed hats from the Easter Rising, two (disputed) games of Pooh Sticks by the banks of an idyllic lough, and a few glasses of Guinness!

What makes the foursome’s excursion different though is that they’ve produced an illustrated book of the event.

‘Life in the Old Dogs Yet: a Short Amble in Ireland’ has been written by retired technical author Richard Guise, with contributions from retired company director and now Charnwood Borough Councillor David Hayes, retired property specialist Andy McDonald and retired chartered surveyor Peter Toon.

It recounts the slightly chaotic, often hilarious and occasionally startling tale of the journey taken by the quartet.

The men admit though that the true stars of the journey and the book were in fact the “ever-entertaining and occasionally baffling” locals they met en route.

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan has added a foreword praising the positive attitude to life that propelled these four senior constituents on their short adventure.

‘Life in the Old Dogs Yet: a Short Amble in Ireland’, which features more than 40 photographs, is available for £5.50 at Quorn’s Royal Oak, White Hart and Blacksmith’s pubs.

The book can also be bought via the internet at www.amazon.co.uk or www.lulu.com, or from richard_guise@yahoo.com

A Kindle version of the book without illustrations is also available to purchase for £2.19.